Picking the A-League’s best U-23 XI

Despite a below-average performance in the Under-23 Championship, Australia’s youth aren’t as bad as results suggest.

There’s no Bobo in this squad, but plenty of promising youth talent, all of whom are destined for bigger things in the future.

Paul Izzo (Adelaide United)
The former Mariners custodian has worked his way into Adelaide’s first team this season. With Izzo’s help, the Reds are second-best for goals conceded this season.

Ben Garuccio (Adelaide United)
Garuccio has won 38 duels so far, the second-best in the competition, while he wins three-quarters of tackles. The former AIS product is no slouch in the attacking third either, with 20 successful crosses at 75 per cent accuracy.

Thomas Deng (Melbourne Victory)
Born to South Sudanese refugees, the 20-year-old is flourishing in the A-League. Deng has been busy in his 12 starts for the Victory, with 50 clearances, 11 blocks and 23 clearances to his name. Rock solid at the back.

Jonathan Aspropotamitis (Western Sydney Wanderers)
The 21-year-old is a pinpoint passer from the back, with 87 per cent accuracy. He’s also made 20 clearances in his five starts. ‘Aspro’ has been tagged as a future leader, having captained the U-23s in all three games at the AFC qualifiers last year.

Stefan Nigro (Melbourne Victory)
Nigro burst onto the scene with a Man of the Match display in 2016, marking Thomas Broich. This season, he’s made nine starts so far, including a vital 32 interceptions.

Daniel Arzani (Melbourne City)
At just 19, Arzani has made two assists in just three starts for City. He also has 40 per cent crossing accuracy and 21 successful dribbles. His influence will grow with every game.

(AAP Image/Hamish Blair)

Matthew Ridenton (Wellington Phoenix)
The young Kiwi has made 32 key passes from the midfield, including two assists. He’s been vital to the struggling Wellington Phoenix and started 15 out of 16 games this term. In 2014, he was called up to the All Whites’ senior squad, aged just 18.

Daniel De Silva (Central Coast Mariners)
All hail the passing and dribbling master. At 20 years of age, De Silva is already a pivotal member of the Mariners first team. He boasts 13 key passes at nearly 85 per cent accuracy, also registering 18 successful dribbles, two goals and an assist.

Jordan O’Doherty (Adelaide United)
Although he’s only made three starts for Adelaide this season, O’Doherty has impressed with 89 per cent passing accuracy. He was a constant menace in his second start against Sydney FC, keeping them to a goalless draw.

Joe Champness (Newcastle Jets)
The Jets youngster has netted three goals this season, including one against leaders Sydney FC in a 2-2 draw. He’s also won 23 fouls and shown an impressive work rate, contesting 72 duels in December.

Bruce Kamau (Melbourne City)
The Kenyan-born winger boasts 100 per cent shooting accuracy, pinching three goals, as well as crossing accuracy of 40 per cent. He’s been a handful with the ball at his feet too, winning 24 fouls.

I would consider some of your suggestions. But Lachlan Wales missed an open goal against Sydney! Strain is good but hasn’t started as much as Nigro. I agree that he is useful because he can play in multiple positions.
I’m afraid Elsey, doesn’t count, he’ll be turning 24 in March. But he has played well as well.

Alright then, well I never said I didn’t consider Wales. I heard he was good as well.
Aspromotis, I haven’t heard much about until the U23, who was the captain.
I’d put him in for the leadership.
And Blackwood for the world cup, well I did say he could go to Russia, but perhaps not yet, as he should be scoring more for Adelaide. I never said he scored regularly for Adelaide.
And about Theoharous, to some, I admit I haven’t seen him play much, but a low passing accuracy is unimpressive. It is a very low passing rate, even by ‘Winger’ standards.

I won’t be surprised if he’s drops out of the A-league. At times he’s not even NPL standard, falling over, miscontrolling. I suspect he’s mentally fragile, showing all of the bad traits of Andrew Hoole

Kamau, Hoole, throw in Apiah & even Buhagiar, it’s their decision making that is just so poor, all these players have some good skills & some are very quick, but it’s their decision making that just leaves me scratching my head. Look at Messi, unfair to compare to the very best, but apart from his unbelievable & outrageous skills, his decision making is spot on.

Decision-making happens with match time. Playing competitive matches against strong opponents. Most of these talented kids would’ve cruised through their youth football. Their technical ability would’ve given them time to do what they want, often selfishly, and rarely making decisions under pressure.

That’s why it’s so important for ALeague clubs to be playing NPL.

And, the way the ALeague clubs enter the NPL, the team that enters the Senior competition can only have u20 players.

The team that enters the u20 NPL competition must all be u17 (or maybe even u16).

Already this is producing results. MVFC has played 3 seasons in NPL. Started in Div2, promoted 1st season, then relegated back to Div 2.

Lads like: Pasquali, Nigro, Deng, Theoharous all played NPL with MVFC. 3 more lads who are regularly on the bench in ALeague this season: Waring, Hope, McGilp played NPL in 2017.

Yes, was going to inclued Vujica but always thought he was not Aussie. He is listed as Croatian nationality on the football website I checked, because he played for Croatia u19. But I now see he was born in Sydney! Great news.

I like what Tongyik has done and how he goes about his play. Definitely a prospect. Maybe underestimating what Joyce is doing. He may have judged that it was a little too early to bring Tongyik into the senior team. Or maybe Joyce is a little conservative when it comes to matters like these.

That was last year. This year La Rocca and Schenkeveld were recruited to provide depth and experience so Tongyik has had extra competition for a spot. Joyce has introduced Atkinson and Arzani as regulars on match day and they have done very well. Maybe Joyce knows what he’s doing in regards to youth. We will see at the end of this season how it’s worked out for him.